Waffle House — Restaurant in Tolleson

Twas 11 PM on 9/17/2024 when the Glass Animals concert let out and many of us wandered over to this Waffle House across the street. Only three people on staff, a full house and more coming in, and some of the available seating was blocked off just to save walking time for the one server they had (who also had to cook between taking orders). That’s well and fine, we all know how being understaffed can feel, but as we simply waited for one of the two recently vacated tables to be cleared of the many piles of used dishes on them, staff actually had the audacity to ask the customers just coming in to jump in and do their job for them and start clearing off these nasty dishes other people ate off so that these customers can make their own space and seat their own selves in spite of paying for the service of being hosted. Of course you will then need to grab your own menus which are covered in layers of sticky syrup residue with hair and dirt embedded in it, and then proceed to wait 45 minutes before you even have your first direct interaction with a staff member as they bring you a luke-warm tap water and tell you they be with you in just a minute only to come back another 15...

I hate to say it may have been racism but am I wrong? I came in at about 5:45AM- there were 3 people sitting in the higher chairs - and one table with 3 people. Upon me walking in, none of the staff acknowledged me or even looked up at me for about 3-4 minutes. One of the waitresses asked the other one if they are doing To Go orders- and the other staff member replied-“ no we are too busy” the girl then turns to me and says “no orders to Go.” I have come this location before and they have had full seating, people waiting to be seated - and still allowed. To Go orders. I just overall felt that they didn’t want to serve me because of what I look like. I drive over to another Phoenix Waffle House (staff happens to be diverse) as soon as I walk in - “Good Morning, how can I help you today ?” Same amount of staff as the other one, same exact amount of customers in there. I was able to get my order and go - no problem.

So it’s like, what was the real reason staff at this location didn’t want to serve me? I didn’t cause an issue or anything, I just left because I felt so disrespected, but again, terrible, racially bias...

I would not recommend this location to a friend. The place is usually busy but for the life of me, I don't know why. The food is average at best but the staff is incompetent, unfriendly, and to busy to be bothered by you. The breakfast I ordered included bacon, however when the food was brought out, it was not included. I told our waitress the problem and she said she would bring it out shortly. We were done eating and the bacon still never showed up. When the check was delivered, I reminded the waitress that she never brought it out. She offered to get if for me to go. I requested a manager. The manager seemed put out by my unsatisfactory complaint and she too offered to get my bacon. After a few back and fourth words, she ended up comping my meal. I had iced tea with my meal but once my glass was empty, it never was refilled despite my requests. The location of this place is in a poor neighborhood as well that has a lot of gang activity, theft and racism. I WOULD NOT recommend this...